C-section mum a 'victim of grossly inadequate medical care'

A coroner has found a 26-year-old Lismore mother Michaela Perrin, who died of sepsis shortly after a Caesarean section, was the victim of grossly inadequate medical care.

Coroner Harriet Grahame was scathing in her assessment of Cristina Penaneuva, and has referred the doctor for investigation by the Health Care Complaints Commission.

Ms Perrin gave birth to a healthy baby girl Brittany on October 16, 2014. Three days later she was discharged. A day later she returned to hospital complaining of wound pain. She was sent home by Dr Penaneuva with pain killers.

Michaela Perrin died just days after giving birth via C-section to her daughter Brittany. (Supplied) ()

The following day on October 21, she returned to hospital with worsening symptoms and was admitted.

Early in the morning on October 22 she was found dead in her room. Michaela had died of septic shock associated with a serious bacterial infection.

The Coroner found Dr Penaneuva never identified the possibility of sepsis nor did she question Ms Perrin about the intensity of her pain. At one stage she told Cathy Perrin, her mother, that Michaela had a skin infection.

After Ms Perrin was admitted, Dr Penaneuva undertook a series of tests. The Coroner noted: ”somewhat extraordinarily, given the pain she was in, Dr Penaneuva suggested that Michaela undertake the vaginal swab herself.”